The project was part of the Atlanta Veterans Administration Medical Center’s annual Stand Down event, which provides health services to homeless veterans in the Atlanta area.

GCS staff and patients, along with many members of the community, donated thousands of personal care items including travel-size toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, hand sanitizer, disposable razors, shaving cream, shampoo, conditioner and feminine products.

Bags of all shapes and sizes were filled with the items collected and delivered to the Atlanta VA Medical Center on Oct. 1. Due to overwhelming participation, more than 700 bags were ultimately prepared and donated to homeless veterans across the state.

“The assistance from our community volunteers, such as the Georgia Cancer Specialists and the Northside Hospital volunteers, is invaluable to the success of our Stand Down,” said April Edwards, clinical director of the Healthcare for Homeless Veterans Program.

“The dignity, concern and respect shown by the community shows our veterans that they have not been forgotten,” Edwards said. “The Atlanta VA’s Healthcare for Homeless Veterans salutes all of those who served those who served our country.”